Sebastian Vettel has equalled a sixty-year record for the most consecutive wins in Formula One by winning today’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos with a fine display in damp conditions.
The German driver has gone undefeated since the end of August when his streak started with victory in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Since then, no other driver has won a race, meaning that he will head to next year’s Australian Grand Prix with a winning record that has lasted for over six months.
By winning nine races in a row, Vettel ties with Alberto Ascari who set the record across two seasons in 1952 and 1953. However, this record is debated as the Indy 500 – previously a race in the Formula One world championship – is not included in this record as Ascari did not take part. Nevertheless, it is an amazing record for both drivers to boast, but Vettel’s is particularly special given the era in which it has been set. Vettel does however become the first driver to win nine consecutive races within a single season.
He also equals the record for the most wins within a single season, matching Michael Schumacher’s tally of thirteen from 2004 when his compatriot won his seventh and final world championship with Ferrari.
For Vettel to be spoken about in the same sense as these names is testament to his achievements in his relatively short career. He will now be chasing an unprecedented tenth consecutive victory at the opening race of the 2014 F1 season in Australia.
